Nose: Sweet sherry and berry aromas mingle inextricably with a relaxed and shy peat smoke that seems to melt into all corners of the nose without becoming intrusive. Some honeyed notes and fruity aromas waft in the background together with just a touch of vanilla marshmallow. Palate: More immediately smoky on the arrival than you would expect from the nose and quite sweet. Malty and mildly smoked characteristics begin to dominate as it develops, but this is not an arrogant peat-monster. The texture is pleasantly creamy, there are some light fruity notes and just the faintest salty touch. Finish: Medium/short. Fruity and gently smoky with a mild salty aftertaste and a surprise chocolate fudge note right at the end. The nose is very soft and relaxed, pretty even, but nonetheless expressive. Just because it's not a peat-monster don't assume this is weak or anaemic. In fact if anything this is probably genuinely like the character of many Speyside whiskies 150 years ago when a smoky profile was still the norm. The palate carries more forward smoke but it is that bonfire sort of peat smoke typical of mainland peated whisky, with nary a trace of medicinal or iodine notes. The PX casks are handled with skill here, contributing a scintilla of sweet spiciness but not being allowed to control the proceedings. If Laphroaig 10 is Jackson Pollock's Autumn Rhythm No. 30, this is one of Jean-Jacque Hennier's many Red Haired Beauties. Delightful and seductive - I've yet to have a bad GlenDronach. The current fashion is for sledgehammer peated drams, but neglect the subtle ones at your peril. Tasted from a 30ml sample. "Good" : 83/100 (3.5 stars)